The Blacker the Berry Book

We are color struck The way an artist strikes His canvas with his brush of many hues

Look closely at these mirrors these palettes of skin Each color is rich in its own right

Black is dazzling and distinctive, like toasted wheat berry bread; snowberries in the fall; rich, red cranberries; and the bronzed last leaves of summer. In this lyrical and luminous collection, Coretta Scott King honorees Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate these many shades of black beautifully.

Children's Literature

This book is rich—rich in imagery and metaphors, rich in languid and lyrical text, rich in illustrations imbued with purple, black, brown and a myriad of other colors. The images, the carefully selected words, the symmetry and symbolism come together to create a beautiful and vivid collection of poems describing the many shades of black. This book, quiet yet intense, resonates with readers. Each poem, built around the many hues and types of berries, is worthy of standing on its own. Still, the full strength of the book comes from reading it in its entirety, with each poem providing a base for the next by adding depth and understanding to the text. This book is highly recommended for purchase for public libraries and school media centers. Teachers and librarians are sure to use it during February for Black History Month, but a book this good should be celebrated throughout the year. Reviewer: Meagan Albright